A/N: I'm going to try to make chapters a bit shorter and see if that helps me post more regularly. I know what I want to write, it's just the sitting down and writing it. I also don't want to write too much filler, which stories usually find in the beginning anyways. Hopefully in a few chapters I can move the plot along faster ;)
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Hermione woke the next morning earlier than usual to make sure she was able to take a shower before anyone else hogged the bathroom. She spent time practicing some charms on her hair to make it smoother and to define the curls more, but had no luck and put it in a plait instead. Overall, she wasn't too worried about her looks, but she did want to look polished and presentable for her Professors.
She was buzzing with excitement for the first day of classes. She headed towards the Common Room to make her way to the Great Hall and was stopped by a nervous looking Neville.
"Mornin' Hermione," he greeted, not meeting her gaze. She noticed him picking at his nails.
"Good morning, Neville," Hermione nodded. "What's got you so anxious today?"
He looked up at her, "First day nerves, I reckon. I've been waiting for the boys to get their arses up so I can go down for breakfast. I wager I'll be waiting forever. Say, could I eat with you this morning?" Neville was fiddling with his hands now. Hermione had always like Neville, they got on well. The thought of eating alone on the first day also made her feel a bit odd as she wasn't sure if Harry or Luna would be awake, it really was quite early. She nodded to him.
"Let's go then, yeah?" She asked and they made out of the Common Room and to the Great Hall.
When they got there it was just as Hermione expected - empty. There were less than a handful of students eating and looking at their new time tables while the Heads of Houses were passing them out. McGonagall spotted them and was in front of them within three strides.
"Good morning, Ms. Granger, Mr. Longbottom," she said. "I trust your summers were well?"
They both nodded at their Head's small talk, taking their time tables from her as she handed them out. "Ms. Granger, I'm pleased to see your work load significantly less this year than last," Professor McGonagall smiled, almost jokingly.
"All trial and error, Professor," Hermione replied pleasantly. She had dropped Divination and Muggle Studies, but did continue with Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. It meant she had less time for lunch, but Hermione hardly minded. Hermione and Neville took their seats at the Gryffindor table across from each other.
Hermione opted for beans and toast and started people watching as more students made their way in for breakfast. She waved to Luna and made a mental note to catch up with her after classes. She worried about Luna's terrible suite mates and what they would do this year to bully her.
Eventually, her and Neville were joined by Ron, Seamus, Dean, the Weasley twins, Ginny and her friends. Hermione didn't really know when the Weasleys became comfortable enough to sit with her, but she didn't really mind it. She kept her eye on the Great Hall's elegant doors waiting for Harry to arrive.
When he did he was accompanied by Theo and they both caught Hermione's eye to wave. She was curious as to what classes they were taking as she saw them also get their time tables. Knowing she would find out soon enough, she finished her tea and gathered her belongings to go to her first class of the day. Transfiguration.
Harry wasn't surprised to see Hermione in the Great Hall before he was, she was always an early riser. He also wasn't surprised to see that she was probably the first student to leave and go to class. He chuckled to himself at her eagerness and stood, grabbing a muffin.
"Where are you going? We just sat down?" Theo asked, putting some eggs on his plate.
"Class, see you there," Harry said, strolling out of the Great Hall.
Obviously Hermione was the first one sat in the Transfiguration class and Harry walked up to sit in the spot next to her. "I'm surprised you didn't spend the night in the library," he said.
She giggled, "I thought about it if I'm honest." Harry smiled back her. "You're in a good mood today," Hermione noted.
In fact, Harry had woken up that morning in a much better mood. He thought it had to do with the fact that he was back at Hogwarts. Despite the nosey Headmaster, he felt rather at home here. Harry was refreshed, but he attributed that to Hermione's presence. She always did have a calming effect on him.
"Would you rather I was cranky instead?" Harry joked.
"No," Hermione started, "Definitely not. I much prefer this Harry."
They started emptying their bags out on to the table and brushed hands in the process. Harry smiled inwardly at the blush he saw creep up Hermione's neck, but she cleared her throat and didn't say anything or make eye contact with him. Harry took that opportunity to look at Hermione. He liked the plait she wore and how the pieces that had come out of it curled around her face. Her tan she had from the summer very much suited her and Harry had to admit she looked rather pretty. He'd always found her cute, but this was different. More than likely, it was probably just a part of him growing up.
Hermione was already asking him what he thought they were going to learn this year in Transfiguration when they saw McGonagall walk in, pausing briefly to glance at the Slytherin and Gryffindor already in her classroom. She nodded to both of them before continuing to her office.
Hermione stopped abruptly in her tangent and with wide eyes said to him, "Harry, how exactly do you think other Wizarding schools travel to Hogwarts? Surely they don't all go to Platform 9 3/4 all the way in London?"
Harry shrugged in response.
Turns out, taking the train to Hogwarts was probably the most boring way of getting to the magical school.
Hermione was in awe over the beautiful, elegant entrance of the Beauxbatons students and marveled in strength and seriousness from the Durmstrang students. She had recognized one of them from the Daily Prophet - seeker Viktor Krum. His eye contact with her had been startling, but she hadn't been able to look away. She was unaware of the major side eye that Harry was giving her from the Slytherin table.
"Wow," she breathed.
"Wicked," she heard Ron say from the other side of the table.
Yes, this year would be far more interesting than she thought it would be.
"Where do you reckon the other students stay while they're here?" Blaise asked his dorm mates when they arrived back to the Common Room.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Did you not see what they both came in? Surely you're not thinking that those girls from Beauxbatons are going to be conveniently sleeping in the castle - not with your horny ass around."
The other boys chuckled at that, even Blaise who put his arms up in defense. "Can't blame a man for trying!"
"Yes I'm sure those lovely seventeen year old Beauxbaton girls are just dying to be sought after from a fourteen year old boy. What are you going to do? Stare at them until they fall at your feet?" Harry asked.
Blaise scoffed, "Says you! I saw the way you were staring at Granger tonight. Bloody weird if you ask me, but I mean if that whole nerdy girl next door is your type…"
"Good thing I didn't ask you," Harry said and laid in his bed, pulling the curtains around it.
"Guess that means he's going to bed," he heard Blaise said and could just feel the smirk in his voice.
"You just don't know when to stop, do you?" Harry heard Theo ask.
Blaise was right though. Harry had been staring at Hermione during the feast, but he did that most of the time. He hardly cared if others noticed, it's not like his friendship with the Gryffindor was a secret. There was just something different about her this year. Something different about both of them.
He was thinking about her the next day when he was in the library with Theo. He opened the notebook he shared with Hermione and was about to scribble in it to ask about her whereabouts when he saw the frizzy haired girl in question rush through the library doors. She made a beeline to him.
"Merlin Granger, where's the fire?" Theo murmured, no doubt annoyed that their peace and quiet was about to be disturbed.
"There's just so much to be done already, exciting isn't it?!" She exclaimed, dropping into the chair across from Harry, next to Theo. Harry noticed her big grin as Hermione laid out her books in front of them.
"Relax Hermione, it's only the first week of class," Harry joked.
"Did you seriously ask Hermione Granger to relax in regards to schoolwork?" Theo said, quirking an eyebrow. Hermione smiled in response.
Harry tilted his head. Since when did Hermione smile with a Slytherin - besides himself.
"That's alright Nott, maybe if you study every day for the whole term you'll manage to rank top twenty," Hermione teased back and Harry watched as Theo laughed. The commotion earned them a nasty glare from Madame Pince and Harry felt a wave of an intangible emotion.
"If you two are done flirting, I believe we have essays that need to be written," he bit out, trying not to sound as annoyed as he was.
Hermione gave him a questioning look, but opened her book in response.
They worked in silence.
Afterwards, Harry walked Hermione back to Gryffindor tower having sent Theo back to their Common Room.
"Did you hear that the Weasley twins are planning to put their name in the Goblet?" Hermione asked, trying to make conversation.
"I did not. I expect whatever plan they are concocting to go absolutely horribly," Harry replied.
They reached the Fat Lady.
"Yes," Hermione agreed, turning towards him. "Harry, can I ask you something?"
"I guess that depends on the question."
"You're not planning on putting your name in, are you?"
Harry turned her sharply and hissed, "What?" What kind of question was that, was his best friend out of her mind. He had the internal glory, he had the fame and the riches. What would he accomplish by entering a deadly contest? Nothing. "Honestly Hermione, who do you take me for? One of your foolish fellow Gryffindors?" He felt satisfaction in watching her face turn red with embarrassment.
"You're right, you're right. I guess, you always seem to find trouble. Or rather, trouble always seems to find you. I just wanted to make sure, for my own peace of mind." Hermione turned away from him and said the password to the Fat Lady, halfway through the entrance to the Lion's Den. She halfway looked over her shoulder. "Good night, Harry." Then Hermione promptly shut the portrait in his face.
He smirked and headed to the dungeons.
